The Orange Order has condemned those who were involved in rioting last night.

A statement from the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland appealed for calm in north Belfast.

A spokesman said: "Those involved in violence should desist. It is not only counterproductive but also plain wrong.

"Such actions are only strengthening the hand of those who wish to further curtail our parades.

"We call on anyone engaged in illegal behaviour to stop immediately." The spokesman also condemned those responsible for stoning a bus transporting Orangemen as it passed through Greysteel, Co Londonderry, earlier in the evening.

The bus, carrying lodge members from the Republic, was returning from a Twelfth demonstration in Coleraine. It is understood no one was seriously injured in the incident.

Meanwhile in a separate incident a female police officer was attacked in Belfast city centre.

The officer was punched in the face and knocked to the ground by a male before being punched again by a female while on the ground.

The pair continued to be violent towards other officers. Two 22-year-old people were subsequently arrested. A male police officer also sustained a hand injury as he came to his colleagues' aid.